Slovakia: 12-year-old boy critically injured in TikTok challenge

A 12-year-old boy sustained life-threatening injuries in Radoľa, Slovakia, while attempting to replicate a dangerous TikTok trend at a school playground. The challenge involved using an electric scooter to rapidly spin a playground merry-go-round.

The boy was unable to hold on to the spinning structure and was thrown off at high speed. Following the fall, he experienced disorientation and bleeding from the ear. He was transported to the University Hospital in Žilina, where medical examinations confirmed a skull fracture near the ear, a concussion, and intracranial bleeding.

The child spent 14 days in the intensive care unit. While he has since been discharged to continue his recovery at home, doctors noted he remains at risk for complications including inflammation, meningitis, and epileptic seizures. His mother has issued a warning to other parents regarding the dangers of such social media trends. Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident, including the presence of an adult male with an electric scooter at the scene.